161

PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY
Directorate General of Merchant Marine
Segumar Panama
Merchant Marine Circular No. 161
To: Owners/Operators of Panamanian Ships, Recognized
Organizations and Masters
Subject: Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) and Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR)
annual test.
Reference: Decree Law No. 7, SOLAS regulation V/20, SOLAS regulation V/18.8, IMO
Resolution A.861(20) MSC.163(78) MSC.1/Circ.1222
1. The purpose of this Merchant Marine Circular is to communicate all parties concerned with
Panamanian flag ships, of the approved guidelines adopted with the purpose of having a
standard method for the annual testing of the VDR and S-VDR.
2. The requirements for VDR and S-VDR systems to be subject of an annual testing has been
approved by the revision of SOLAS Regulation V/20 and established by Regulation V/18.8.
as amended.
3. The purpose of an annual performance test is to determine that a VDR/S-VDR is operational
as defined in the manufacturer’s specification.
4. The annual test for the VDR and S-VDR will be carried out by the manufacturer or a person
authorized by the manufacturer.
5. .The annual testing of the VDR and S-VDR should include:
1. Confirmation that no alarms are present prior to the initiation of the test;
2. Confirmation that when the external power is removed, the power supply alarm is
activated, the equipment continues to operate for at least 1 hours and 55 minutes and
automatically stops recording no later than 2 hours 5 minutes after the external power is
removed;
3. Confirmation that the acoustic beacon is functional using the appropriate manufacturer’s
test equipment or by the substitution of a certified fully operational unit;
MMCirc. No.161
4. Confirmation that the overall condition of the equipment is satisfactory and that any
battery within the equipment (acoustic beacon and power supply) is not expired;
5. Confirmation that accurate maintenance records of the VDR are available;
6. Confirmation that the items to be recorded, specifically those data items available and
required to be recorded at the time of original commissioning as defined in resolution
A.861(20) and resolution MSC.163(78) for VDR and S-VDR respectively, are satisfactorily
stored for the duration of the 12-hour recording period;
7. Confirmation that the capsule float-free arrangements, where required or fitted, are
satisfactory as originally accepted at commissioning; and that any battery, release
mechanism or other items are within their expiry date; and,
8. Confirmation that the equipment is restored to normal operation mode following
completion of the tests.
6. The annual test may be carried out:
1. Up to 3 months before the due date of the passenger ship and 3 months before or after the
due date of a cargo ship. (The maximum period between subsequent checks is, therefore, 15
months for passenger ships and 18 months for cargo ships, unless either certificate has been
extended as permitted by SOLAS regulation I/14, in which case a similar extension may be
granted.). The manufacturer must complete a review, record any changes and issue the
completed test report within 45 days. To accommodate performance checks to align with
the appropriate survey under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC).
7. The annual test will be registered on the form from the Model Report about the test that
figures on the Appendix of this Circular. A copy of the report from the test will remain on
board of the vessel. Also these forms will be available for all Port State Control Inspectors
and Panamanian Flag Inspectors
March 2008
Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular or any request should be directed to:
Panama Maritime Authority Tel: (507) 501-5010
General Directorate of Merchant Marine Fax: (507)501-5011
P.O. Box 5245 Panama 5
Republic of Panama
MMCirc. No.161
Appendix - Voyage Data Recorder Performance
Test Report
. Note - Insert Yes for success, No for failure or N/A for non fitted interfaces in these boxes, as
appropriate.
Yes N N/A
o
Ship’s details
Ship’s name
Flag
IMO number
Date keel laid
Gross tonnage
Voyage data recorder details
Manufacturer
Model
System serial number
Software version number
Date fitted
Inspection Details
Name person conduction testing
Company
Inspection date
Inspection location
1 Pre-existing alarms
Confirm that no alarms were present at start of procedure
2 Power supply alarm check
Remove source of external power. Confirm that alarm is activated.
Record time (hh.mm)
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3 Reserve power source check
Allow VDR to continue running for 1 hour 55 minutes from ’2’ above
Confirm that equipment is still operating at this time, with no additional alarms.
Record time (hh.mm)
4 Reserve power source shutdown check
2 hours 05 minutes from ‘2’ above confirm that the VDR has automatically stopped
recording.
Record time (hh.mm)
5 Battery expiry dates
Battery Expiry date (where
applicable)
Acoustic beacon
Reserve power source
6 Acoustic beacon test
Using manufacturer’s test equipment confirm that acoustic beacon is functional or by
the substitution of a certified fully operational unit.
7 Overall condition of equipment
Inspect equipment and record condition, thickness if satisfactory
Sub unit Notes on condition
Protective capsule
External cables
Main unit
8 Interfaces: Operation and recording
Date and time Perferably external to
ship (e.g. Global
Navigation Satellite
System.)
Ship’s position Electronic Positioning
system
Speed (through water or over ground) Ship’s designated
speed and distance
measuring
equipment
Heading Ship’s compass
Bridge audio 1 or more bridge
microphones
Communications Audio VHF
Radar data-post display selection Master radar display
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Water depth Echo sounder
Main alarms All mandatory alarms
on bridge
Rudder order and response Steering gear and
autopilot
Engine order and response Telegraphs, controls
and thrusters
Hull openings status All mandatory status
information displayed
on bridge
Watertight and fire door status All mandatory status
information displayed
on bridge
Acceleration and hull stresses Hull stress and
response monitoring
equipment where
fitted
Wind speed and direction Anemometer where
fitted
9 Change or repair of sensors
Check maintenance records of VDR
Confirm any defects properly rectified
Person authorized by the Manufacturer Ship’s representative
Date Date
If the manufacturer does not complete a review and issue a completed test report within 45 days, this test report
should go forward for certification.
10 Manufacturer’s analysis
Note - This confirms the endorsement by the manufacturer of the tests and that the master record/database has
been checked.
Manufacturer’s analysis of 12-hour log is attached and in accordance with International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61996 Maritime navigation and
radiocommunication equipment and systems – Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR)
performance requirements – Methods of testing and required test results section 4.6 –
Data items to be recorded (resolution A.861(20), section 5.4). Confirmation that all
data is available throughout the 12-hour recording.
Date and time of above log.
11 Observations and additional manufacturer’s requirements
Note - This specifically provides for the logging of significant
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events that may have occurred on board since the previous
test, including the refitting of equipment or major unit change
to existing equipment. − Any or all of which may have an
impact on the availability or quality of the VDR/S-VDR input
signal.
This performance test was conducted in accordance with SOLAS regulation V/18.8 and forms part of the
procedure for the issue of the Annual Performance Test Certificate. The results, information and any comments
should be relayed to the manufacturer in accordance with the instructions contained within the Operation
Manual. Subject to satisfactory results, an Annual Performance Test Certificate will then be issued.
In accordance with the principles of harmonization of Certificates, the Certificate, when issued, will remain valid
until the next annual re-validation of that Certificate, subject to the equipment being maintained in appropriate
operational condition.
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